Photographic film pack

ABSTRACT

Successive film units which are stored in the container of a photographic film pack for use in a camera which develops the film are connected to each other by flexible coupling strips each of which automatically passes between the pressure applying rolls of the camera in response to withdrawal of the preceding film unit. The leading ends of coupling strips are weakened so that they can be readily separated from preceding film units. Such separation is further facilitated by transversely extending or inclined beads provided on the coupling strips and engaging with the pressure applying rolls during separation of respective coupling strips from the preceding film units.

, United States Patent Huber 1451 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMPACK 3,161,516 12/1964 Hamilton et al. ..96/76 3,320,065 5 1967 Campbell..96/76 [72] Invent Huber Germany 3,433,636 3/1969 Hamilton ....96/76[73] Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft, Lever- 3,479,184 l[/1969 Land at al ..96/76 kusen, Germany Filed: 7 Dec 19, 1968 PrimaryExaminer-Murray Katz Appl. No.: 785,277

Att0rneyMichael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT Successive film units whichare stored in the container of a photographic film pack for use in acamera which develops the film are connected to each other by flexiblecoupling strips each of which automatically passes between the pressureapplying rolls of the camera in response to withdrawal of the precedingfilm unit. The leading ends of coupling strips are weakened-so that theycan be readily separated from preceding film units. Such separation isfurther facilitated by transversely extending or inclined beads providedon the coupling strips and engaging with the pressure applying rollsduring separation of respective coupling strips from the preceding filmunits.

25 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 AF EW-I/lM///// fir!!! J IV. m m mm &

Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,751

3 Sheets-Sheet z Fig. 3

INVENTOR.

HANS-PETE HUBER BY 02/4 f 18/,

A' aw 17 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to improvements in film packs for use in photographicapparatus which are designed to expose and to immediately developphotosensitive sheets. Film packs for use in such photographic apparatusare described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,161,516 to Hamilton et al.

The patent to Hamilton et al. discloses a film pack wherein a firstleader serves to draw a film unit through the nip of two pressureapplying rolls which are installed in the body of the photographicapparatus, and wherein a second leader bypasses the pressure applyingrolls and is connected to the first leader of the next-following filmunit. The purpose of the second leader is to advance the next-followingfirst leader into the nip of the pressure applying rolls so that thecorresponding film unit can be withdrawn upon exposure of itsphotosensitive sheet to scene light. A drawback of such proposal is thatthe second leader must be separated from the preceding first leader whenthe next-following first leader enters the nip of the pressure applyingrolls. If the user of the photographic apparatus is awkward or if theseparation is carried out improperly for another reason, the firstleader is retracted from the nip and the film pack must be discardedbecause the user cannot withdraw the remaining film units. Furthermore,the patented film pack is quite expensive and comprises a large numberof parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of my invention is to provide asimple, compact and relatively inexpensive photographic film pack foruse in apparatus which develop freshly exposed photosensitive sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film pack which isconstructed and assembled in such a waythat each removable part of itscontents must pass through the nip of pressure applying rolls in thecamera.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film pack which can beused in presently known cameras and which automatically places a part ofthe next-following film unit into an optimum position for withdrawal anddevelopment in response to withdrawal of the preceding film unit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel coupling meansbetween successive film units of the film pack.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the film pack withnovel means for facilitating separation of exposed film units from thenext-following unexposed film units.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide a film pack whereinseparation of preceding film units from the next-following film unitsnecessitates the exertion of a small force.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a film pack whereinthe parts which connect successive film units to each other cannotaffect the quality of exposures, even under most unfavorablecircumstances.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film pack wherein eachpreceding film unit is separated from the nextfollowing film unit in anaccurately determined region so that the next-following'film unit isthen in an optimum position for withdrawal from the container of thefilm pack upon completed exposure of its photosensitive sheet to scenelight.

The improved film pack comprises a container having a passage, at leasttwo film units stored in the container and each including aphotosensitive sheet and a print-receiving sheet, a withdrawing devicefor withdrawing one of the film units along a predetermined path by wayof the passage in the container upon completed exposure ofphotosensitive sheet in the one film unit to scene light, and a flexiblecoupling strip connecting the withdrawing device of the one film unitwith one sheet of the other film unit so that the coupling strip emergesfrom the passage upon completed withdrawal of the one film unit and theother film unit can be withdrawn by the coupling strip along theaforementioned path upon completed exposure of its photosensitive sheetto scene light. The width of at least a portion of the coupling strip ispreferably less than the width of a sheet. Each coupling strip mayconsist of synthetic plastic material whose thickness is preferably lessthan one-tenth of a millimeter.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved film pack itself, however, both as =to its construction and itsmode of operation, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional viewof a film pack which accommodates two film units and is constructed andassembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a developed view of a coupling strip in .a second film pack,additional coupling strips being shown in stacked condition;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a leader and a masking sheet for use in thefilm pack;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a further coupling strip, and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of still another coupling strip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a container 1whichforms part of a film pack and consists of sheet metal or syntheticplastic material. This container may be a unitary one-piece structureorit may comprise several separable sections. One side wall of thecontainer 1 is formed with a generally rectangular exposure aperture laand its front end wall has a passage 1b for withdrawal of successivefilm units.

A pressure plate 2 is provided in and divides the interior of thecontainer into a first chamber which is adjacent to the exposureaperture 111 and a second chamber. The rear portion 2a of the pressureplate 2 (namely, that portion which is remote from the passage lb) isrolled or curved to properly guide successive photosensitive sheets 5which form a stack 3 in the first chamber of the container 1. The secondchamber accommodates a stack 4 of print-receiving sheets 9. Biasingmeans (not shown) are provided to urge the pressure plate 2 upwardly, asviewed in FIG. 1, so as to ensure that the topmost photosensitive sheet5 lies flat in the plane immediately adjacent to the exposure aperture10.

The leading (left-hand) end of each photosensitive sheet 5 is connectedwith the trailing end of a first flexible connecting strip 6 whoseleading end is connected to the leading end 7 of a second flexibleconnecting strip 8. The latter has a trailing end which is connected tothe leading (right-hand) end of the corresponding print-receiving sheet9. The strips 6, 8 are of the same length and the length of each ofthese strips slightly exceeds half the length of a sheet 5 or 9. Theleading end 7 of the strip 8 in .the first film unit (including theoutermost photosensitive sheet 5 and the outermost print-receiving sheet9) is connected with a leader 13 which extends through the passage lband can be pulled to advance in the direction indicated by the arrow. Inresponse to such pull, the leader l3 immediatelydraws the firstconnecting strip 6 and the outermost photosensitive sheet 5 around therear portion 2a of the pressure plate 2 so that the outermost sheet 5advances toward a position of registry or overlap with the outermostprintreceiving sheet 9. The leading end 7 of the second connecting strip8 shares the lengthwise movement of the leader 13 and first connectorstrip 6; however, the strip 8 is merely bent over itself and causes theoutermost sheet 9 to advance toward and through the passage lb only whenthe outermost sheet 9 registers with the corresponding sheet 5. The twosheets 5, 9 are then caused to pass through the the nip of two pressureapplying rolls 10, 11 which are adjacent to but spaced from the passage1b and are installed in the body of the camera. The strips 6, 8 togetherform a withdrawing device for the first film unit including the twooutermost sheets 5 and 9.

The first connecting strip 6 carries a rupturable receptacle or envelope12 which contains a supply of processing fluid. This receptacle burstsopen and its contents are distributed uniformly between the sheets 5, 9during travel through the nip of the pressure applying rolls 10, 11.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the trailing(right-hand) end of the outermost photosensitive sheet 5 is connectedwith the leading end of an elongated coupling strip 14 which passes inthe first chamber between the two photosensitive sheets 5, along theconcave inner side of the first strip 6 for the outermost sheet 5 (i.e.,along the convex side of the rear portion 2a of the pressure plate 2),between the two print-receiving sheets 9 in the second chamber, aroundthe leading end of the inner sheet 9, and is connected with the leadingend 7 of the second connecting strip 8 for the inner sheet 9. Thecoupling strip 14 is provided with a thickened portion or bead 15. Whenthe user exerts a pull on the coupling strip 14 and causes the latter topass through the nip of the rolls 10, 11, the bead engages with theserolls and the user feels that the resistance to extraction of the strip14 increases.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling strip 14 (shown in developed view,i.e., lying in a single plane) comprises an elongated portion 14 whosewidth is constant and is only a fraction of the width of a sheet 5 or 9and whose length equals or approximates twice the length of a sheet 5 or9. The width ofthe next portion of the strip 14 increases gradually, asat 1b, to form a handgrip portion 16 whose trailing end is provided withthe bead 15. The length of the handgrip portion 16 is such that it canbe readily grasped by two fingers at the righthand (downstream) side ofrolls 10, 11 (FIG. 1) when the bead 15 enters the nip at the upstream(left-hand) side of these rolls. FIG. 2 further shows the leading end 7of the next following second connecting strip 8 and the receptacle 12which bursts open to distribute fluid between the sheet 9 which isconnected to the just mentioned strip 8 and the corresponding sheet 5.

FIG. 2 also shows a preferred configuration of portions of couplingstrips which precede the coupling strip 14. It is assumed that the strip14 connects the next-to-the-last sheet 5 (shown in the lower part ofFIG. 2) with the last film unit. The preceding coupling strips havepairs of symmetrical webs 14a, 14b, 14c which flank the elongatedportion 14' of the strip 14, Such configuration of the coupling stripsis desirable in order to avoid excessive localized thickening of thestack 3 in the first chamber ofthe container 1. The free ends of pairsof webs 14a, 14b, 140 are connected to each other by triangular tabs14d. The elongated portion 14 of the strip 14 is flanked by the webs14a, 14b, 140 so that these parts together form a single staggered layerwhich does not cause localized thickening of the material in the firstchamber of the container.

When a preceding film unit is being withdrawn from the container 1, thecoupling strip 14 for the next-following film unit is not subjected toany tensional stresses, i.e., such coupling strip merely overcomesfriction. Therefore, the strips 14 can be made of extremely thinmaterial, preferably highly flexible synthetic plastic foil. Foils whosethickness is in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter and whichoffer satisfactory resistance to tearing stresses arising in a film packare known in the art. An advantage of extremely thin foils is that theycan flex or bend over themselves with a very small radius of curvature.During the initial stage of withdrawal of a strip 14, such bending orrolling over takes place behind the exposure aperture In.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling strip 14 is weakened by a line ofperforations 17 in the region between the elongated portion 14 and thehandgrip portion 16. These perforations reduce the resistance of thestrip 14 to tearing stresses and enable the user to tear the strip withthe exertion of a rather small force when the bead 15 enters the nip ofthe rolls 10, 11. If the sheets 5 are fixed in the first chamber of thecontainer 1 by layers of relatively weak adhesive or the like, theweakened portion 17 of the coupling strip 14 should be strong enough toensure that the sheets 5 are set in motion in response to a pull on thehandgrip portions 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a leader 18 which extends from the passage lb of acontainer 1 in a fresh film pack. The trailing end of the leader 18 isconnected with an opaque masking sheet 19 which prevents penetration oflight through the exposure aperture 10. The leading end of the leader 18is reinforced, as at 20, for example, by a layer of adhesive-coatedpaper or the like. The length of the leader 18 is about twice or threetimes the length of a sheet 5 or 9, and the thickness of its leading end20 is such that it can be readily introduced through the nip of therolls 10,11. These rolls are accessible upon removal or opening of thecover in a photographic camera for use with film packs. The maskingsheet 19 is connected with the leader 13 shown in FIG. 1.

When the container 1 is properly inserted into the camera and the userwishes to make a first exposure, he exerts a pull on the leading end 20to draw the masking sheet 19 away from the exposure aperture la and toadvance the leader 13 toward and through the nip of the rolls 10, 11.The leader 13 comes to a halt when its bead 15 (FIG. 1) reaches the nipofthe rolls 10, 11. The outermost sheet 5 is then ready for exposure andthe leader 13 can be severed along a line of perforations correspondingto the perforations 17 shown in FIG. 2. The handgrip portion 13a of theleader 13 remains accessible at the right-hand side of the rolls 10, 11,as viewed in FIG. 1. If desired, the leader 13 need not be formed withany perforations, i.e., the bead 15 thereon may merely serve as a signalthat the user should tear the leader at a certain distance from therolls 10, 11.

When the first exposure is completed, the user exerts a strong pull onthe portion 13a of the leader 13 so as to move the bead 15 through thenip of and beyond the rolls 10, 11. The leader 13 then causes thefreshly exposed outermost sheet 5 to move away from registry with theexposure aperture 111 and toward registry with the outermost sheet 9 ina manner as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The leader 13 canthereby break a rather weak bond which fixes the outermost sheet 5 inregistry with the aperture la. The sheets 5, 9 begin to move as a unittoward the rolls 10, 11 and the respective receptacle 12 is caused toburst open and to distribute its fluid contacts in the space between thetwo sheets. The development ofthe exposed sheet begins.

As the user pulls the leader 13, he causes the coupling strip 14 for thesecond film unit to advance toward and through the nip of the rolls 10,11. Such lengthwise movement of the strip 14 is terminated when its bead15 engages the rolls 10, 11. The strip 14 is thereupon broken along theperforations 17 so that only its handgrip portion 16 extends beyond thetwo rolls. The same procedure is repeated after the second exposurewhereby the second coupling strip 14 advances through the nip of therolls 10, 11 and tears to leave a short handgrip portion 16 which ispulled upon completion of the third exposure, and so forth. Faultymanipulation is extremely unlikely because all the user has to know isto pull upon the exposed handgrip portion 13a or 16 upon completion ofan exposure until the leader 13 or a coupling strip tears.

If desired, the sheets of each film unit in the container 1 can bestacked in such a way that each sheet 9 is caused to roll over itselfduring withdrawal by way of the passage lb. Furthermore, the leaders 13,19 and the coupling strips 14 may consist of paper, metallic foil or acombination of paper with metallic or plastic foil. It is equallypossible to secure each coupling strip 14 to the trailing end of thecorresponding picture-receiving sheet 9.

REferring again to FIG. 1, the leader 13 is closely analogous to andconstitutes a coupling strip 14 if the container accommodates three ormore film units. Thus, if the film units shown in FIG. 1 are the lasttwo of three or more units, the leader 13 represents that part of acoupling strip 14 which served to connect the freshly withdrawn filmunit (not shown) with the film unit including the two outermost sheets5, 9 of FIG. 1. Thus, the portion 13a then corresponds to the handgripportion 16 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a coupling strip 1 14 which is similar to the strip14 of FIG. 2 with the sole exception that the bead 115 is relativelyshort and makes an acute angle with the longitudinal direction of thestrip. Such inclination of the bead 115 facilitates tearing of the strip114 along the line of perforations 117 when the bead 115 reaches the nipof the pressure applying rolls (not shown in FIG. 4). Since the bead 115is inclined, the stresses along one edge of the elongated portion 114increase when the operator exerts a pull in the direction indicated byarrow so that the tearing of strip 114 begins along the perforations 117in a direction from the left to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. As amatter of fact, the entire strip 114 can be caused to change itsposition when the bead 115 enters the nip of the pressure applyingrolls. If desired, the inclined bead 115 can extend across the entirestrip 114. Also, the bead could be placed into a centralzone of thestrip 114.

In order to avoid undue thickening of the stack in the first chamber ofthe container, the beads 115 of successive coupling strips 114 can belocated at the opposite sides of the common central symmetry plane ofsuch strips. The position of the bead 115a on the next-following strip114 is indicated in FIG. 4 by phantom lines.

Due to one-sided or eccentric location of the bead 115, the left-handedge portion of the strip 114 first undergoes elastic deformation whenthe bead 115 enters the nip of the pressure applying rolls, and thetension in the left-hand edge portion then increases to cause tearing ofthe strip 114 between the left-hand edge and the leftmost perforation117. The stress is thereupon concentrated on the web between the twoleftmost perforations 117 until this web yields and tears, and the sameprocedure is repeated until the strip 114 is caused to tear all the wayto its right-hand edge portion.

The fact the the bead 115 is inclined does not affect withdrawal of thenext film unit because the user can grip the relatively wide handgripportion 116 and can cause the bead 115 to pass between and beyond thepressure applying rolls. Moreover, the distance between the line ofperforations 117 and the bead 115 is rather short. Thus, the handgripportion 116 is quite capable of withstanding the stresses which arisewhen the inclined bead 115 must be caused to advance beyond the pressureapplying rolls. If desired, the bead 115 can consist ofa line ofdiscreteprotuberances.

The coupling strip 114 of FIG. 4 represents a simple solution of theproblem of insuring that successive film units of a film pack areseparated from each other in predetermined zones and in such a way thatthe next-following unit can be readily withdrawn as soon as itsphotosensitive sheet is exposed to scene light. Another importantadvantage of the coupling strip 114 is that its weakened portion 117 canbe destroyed by exertion ofa relatively small force as well as that thisweakened portion can readily withstand tensional stresses which ariseduring withdrawal of the preceding film unit while the bead 115 travelstoward the pressure applying rolls. It is preferred to select theposition of the bead 115 in such a way that its distance from the centerof the strip 114 (Le, from the longitudinal central symmetry plane ofthe strip) at least equals half the width of the weakened portion 117.

Referring finally to FIG. 5, there is shown in developed view a furthercoupling strip 214 which connects a preceding film unit with thehandgrip portion of the next-following coupling strip. The strip 214comprises a bifurcated portion including two arms 221, 222 whichstraddle the photosensitive sheet 5 of the next-following film unit. Thearms 221, 222 are then adjacent to the emulsion-coated side ofthe sheet5.

It is well known that decomposition of highly sensitive silver saltparticles in the emulsion of the sheet 5 can take place in response toexposure to light as well as on exposure to the action of severalchemical substances, such as certain softening agents in plastic foils,certain solvents for lacquers and the like. This causes blackening oflocalized areas of the sheet 5. In order to avoid the likelihood ofaffecting the quality of exposures even when a film pack is stored undermost unfavorable circumstances, the arms 221, 222 of the strip 214 areplaced close to those portions (5A, 5B) of the sheet 5 which are notexposed to scene light, i.e., which do not carry a portion of the imagebecause they are overlapped by the marginal masking portions of thecorresponding image-receiving sheet 9. Thus, even if the material of thearms 221, 222 contains an agent which could affect the quality ofexposures, such agent acts on the emulsion of the sheet 5 in regions 5A,5B which-are thereupon overlapped by the masking portions of theassociated sheet 9.

The arms 221, 222 extend from a triangular intermediate portion 223 ofthe coupling strip 214. The portion 223 has a concave edge face 223awhich overlies the adjoining portion SD of the sheet 5 when the strip214 is properly folded in the first chamber of a container in a filmpack. Such configuration facilitates flexing of the strip 214 in theregion of the portion 223 during withdrawal from the container.

An advantage of the strip 214 is that the manufacturer can pick itsmaterial from a wider selection of materials including those which mightcontain certain chemicals that could, under adverse circumstances,affect the emulsions on the adjoining photosensitive sheets S. Thenumeral 217 denotes the weakened portion of the coupling strip 214.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of my contribution to the art.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. In a photographic film pack, a combination comprising a containerhaving a passage; identical first and second film units stored in saidcontainer and each including a photosensitive sheet and aprint-receiving sheet, the photosensitive sheets of said units beingstored separately from said print receiving sheets of said units;identical first and second withdrawing means for respectivelywithdrawing said first and second film units along a predetermine pathby way of said passage, each of said withdrawing means comprising a pairof connecting strips each having a trailing end connected to the leadingend of a different sheet of the respective film unit and a leading endconnected to the leading end of the other connecting strip, the leadingend of at least one connecting strip of said first withdrawing meansbeing accessible for the application of a withdrawing force outside ofsaid passage; a flexible coupling strip connecting the trailing end ofone sheet of said first film unit with the leading ends of connectingstrips of said second withdrawing means so that said coupling stripemerges from said passage upon withdrawal of said first film unit andcan be advanced along said path to effect the withdrawal of said secondfilm unit, the connecting strips of each of said withdrawing means beingconnected to each other in such a way that one sheet of the respectivefilm unit is advanced toward said passage ahead of the other sheet inresponse to a pull upon said accessible leading end to withdraw saidfirst film unit and in response to a pull upon said coupling strip towithdraw said second film unit and that, during removal from saidcontainer by way of said passage, the sheets of the respective filmunits overlap each other; and a fluid-containing receptacle for each ofsaid film units, said receptacle being arranged to share the movement ofthe respective withdrawing means and to burst open, when subjected toroll pressure, to distribute fluid between the respective photosensitivesheet and the overlapping print-receiving sheet.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the width of at least aportion of said coupling strip is less than the width of one of saidsheets.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said container definestwo chambers one of which accommodates said photosensitive sheets andthe other of which accommodates said print-receiving sheets, saidphotosensitive sheets and said print-receiving sheets respectivelyhaving their trailing and leading ends adjacent to said passage and saidcoupling strip extending between said photosensitive sheets, thereuponbetween said print-receiving sheets, and about the leading end of theprint-receiving sheet in said second film unit.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the length of each ofsaid connecting strips at least equals half the length of one of saidsheets.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein, upon complete withdrawalof said first film unit from said container by way of said passage, saidcoupling strip extends a predetermined distance beyond said passage andcomprises an exposed handgrip portion which can be grasped to effectwithdrawal of said second film unit.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the film pack isintended for use in photographic apparatus having pressure applyingmembers between which the film units advance subsequent to withdrawalfrom the container by way of said passage, said handgrip portion beinglocated downstream of said pressure applying members when the sheets ofsaid second film unit are still accommodated in said container.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the width of saidhandgrip portion increases in a direction counter to the direction ofmovement of said coupling strip between said pressure applying members.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said coupling strip hasa thickened portion which is located upstream of said pressure applyingmembers when said handgrip portion is located downstream of said memberswhereby a person attempting to withdraw said second film unit mustovercome-the resistance of said members to passage of said thickenedportion therebetween.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said coupling stripcomprises a weakened portion located ahead of said handgrip portion andarranged to be destroyed in response to a pull upon the first film unitwhen said thickened portion engages said pressure applying members.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling stripconsists of highly elastic, tear resistant plastic foil material ofminimal plasticity.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip isa foil whose thickness is less than one-tenth of a millimeter.

12. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of saidcoupling strip extends between the photosensitive sheets of said filmunits and wherein said portion comprises two symmetric webs and asubstantially triangular tab extending between and connecting said websto each other.

13. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a maskingsheet overlying an exposure aperture provided in said container and aleader connected with said masking sheet and extending through saidpassage and having a reinforced leading end by way of which the maskingsheet can be withdrawn from the container to thus enable scene light toreach the photosensitive sheet of said first film unit, the withdrawingmeans of said first film unit being connected to said masking sheet.

14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the length of saidleader is about three times the length of a photosensitive sheet.

15. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the withdrawing meansfor said first film unit comprises a second leader connected with thetrailing end of said masking sheet.

16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling strip isconnected with the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit andcomprises a pair of arms overlying two marginal portions of therespective photosensitive sheet.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein each of saidprint-receiving sheets has a pair of marginal masking portions whichoverlie the marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheetsupon withdrawal of film units by way of said passage.

18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said coupling stripfurther comprises an intermediate portion which is inte ral with saidarms. I

19. A com ination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediateportion is of substantially triangular outline and its width decreasesin a direction away from said arms.

20. A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediateportion has a concave edge face extending between said arms adjacent tothe photosensitive sheet of said second film unit.

21. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use in photographicapparatus having a pair of pressure applying members between which afront portion of said coupling strip extends in response to withdrawalof said first film unit, said coupling strip having a weakened portionand a thickened portion inclined with reference to the longitudinaldirection of said coupling strip to facilitate destruction of saidweakened portion in response to engagement with said pressure applyingmembers.

22. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portionextends across a part of said coupling strip.

23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said weakened portionincludes a line of perforations.

24. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portionis provided at one side of the center of said coupling strip and whereinthe distance between said thickened portion and said center at leastequals half the width of said weakened portion.

25. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip hasa trailing end connected to said first sheet of said one film unit and aleading end connected to the leading ends of connecting strips of saidsecond withdrawing means.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the width of at least aportion of said coupling strip is less than the width of one of saidsheets.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said containerdefines two chambers one of which accommodates said photosensitivesheets and the other of which accommodates said print-receiving sheets,said photosensitive sheets and said print-receiving sheets respectivelyhaving their trailing and leading ends adjacent to said passage and saidcoupling strip extending between said photosensitive sheets, thereuponbetween said print-receiving sheets, and about the leading end of theprint-receiving sheet in said second film unit.
 4. A combination asdefined in claim 3, wherein the length of each of said connecting stripsat least equals half the length of one of said sheets.
 5. A combinationas defined in claim 1 wherein, upon complete withdrawal of said firstfilm unit from said container by way of said passage, said couplingstrip extends a predetermined distance beyond said passage and comprisesan exposed handgrip portion which can be grasped to effect withdrawal ofsaid second film unit.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 5, whereinthe film pack is intended for use in photographic apparatus havingpressure applying members between which the film units advancesubsequent to withdrawal from the container by way of said passage, saidhandgrip portion being located downstream of said pressure applyiNgmembers when the sheets of said second film unit are still accommodatedin said container.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein thewidth of said handgrip portion increases in a direction counter to thedirection of movement of said coupling strip between said pressureapplying members.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein saidcoupling strip has a thickened portion which is located upstream of saidpressure applying members when said handgrip portion is locateddownstream of said members whereby a person attempting to withdraw saidsecond film unit must overcome the resistance of said members to passageof said thickened portion therebetween.
 9. A combination as defined inclaim 8, wherein said coupling strip comprises a weakened portionlocated ahead of said handgrip portion and arranged to be destroyed inresponse to a pull upon the first film unit when said thickened portionengages said pressure applying members.
 10. A combination as defined inclaim 1, wherein said coupling strip consists of highly elastic, tearresistant plastic foil material of minimal plasticity.
 11. A combinationas defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip is a foil whosethickness is less than one-tenth of a millimeter.
 12. A combination asdefined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said coupling strip extendsbetween the photosensitive sheets of said film units and wherein saidportion comprises two symmetric webs and a substantially triangular tabextending between and connecting said webs to each other.
 13. Acombination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a masking sheetoverlying an exposure aperture provided in said container and a leaderconnected with said masking sheet and extending through said passage andhaving a reinforced leading end by way of which the masking sheet can bewithdrawn from the container to thus enable scene light to reach thephotosensitive sheet of said first film unit, the withdrawing means ofsaid first film unit being connected to said masking sheet.
 14. Acombination as defined in claim 13, wherein the length of said leader isabout three times the length of a photosensitive sheet.
 15. Acombination as defined in claim 13, wherein the withdrawing means forsaid first film unit comprises a second leader connected with thetrailing end of said masking sheet.
 16. A combination as defined inclaim 1, wherein the coupling strip is connected with the photosensitivesheet of said second film unit and comprises a pair of arms overlyingtwo marginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheet.
 17. Acombination as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said print-receivingsheets has a pair of marginal masking portions which overlie themarginal portions of the respective photosensitive sheets uponwithdrawal of film units by way of said passage.
 18. A combination asdefined in claim 16, wherein said coupling strip further comprises anintermediate portion which is integral with said arms.
 19. A combinationas defined in claim 18, wherein said intermediate portion is ofsubstantially triangular outline and its width decreases in a directionaway from said arms.
 20. A combination as defined in claim 18, whereinsaid intermediate portion has a concave edge face extending between saidarms adjacent to the photosensitive sheet of said second film unit. 21.A combination as defined in claim 1 for use in photographic apparatushaving a pair of pressure applying members between which a front portionof said coupling strip extends in response to withdrawal of said firstfilm unit, said coupling strip having a weakened portion and a thickenedportion inclined with reference to the longitudinal direction of saidcoupling strip to facilitate destruction of said weakened portion inresponse to engagement with said pressure applying members.
 22. Acombination as defined in claim 21, wherein said thickened portionextends across a part of said coupling strip.
 23. A combination asdefined in claim 22, wherein said weakened portion includes a line ofperforations.
 24. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein saidthickened portion is provided at one side of the center of said couplingstrip and wherein the distance between said thickened portion and saidcenter at least equals half the width of said weakened portion.
 25. Acombination as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling strip has atrailing end connected to said first sheet of said one film unit and aleading end connected to the leading ends of connecting strips of saidsecond withdrawing means.